Help complete Marcelo Gracia’s Season for Caring wish list

This week we’re highlighting the remaining wishes of the families featured in the 2017 Season for Caring program.

Marcelo Gracia, 45, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, received many things on his wish list. At the end of January, he and his son Gael Gracia Garcia, 24, will move into a first-floor apartment. This will allow Gracia to get the motorized wheelchair with head support that he needs. Britt Sitzes from National Seating & Mobility is helping coordinate that with the ALS lending closet.

Gael Guadalupe Gracia Garcia raised his father, Marcelo Gracia’s head after it fell forward. Soon he will have an electric wheelchair that will have a head support to keep his head up. RESHMA KIRPALANI / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

He also now has in-home care from BrightStar Care, which allows his son to go to work without worry. BrightStar Care is covering half of the expenses of care for the rest of Gracia’s life. Hospice Austin, which nominated the Gracia family to Statesman Season for Caring, will use Season for Caring funds to cover the other half. BrightStar Care also offered to pay for Gracia Garcia to become a certified nursing assistant and have a future job with the home health care company.

Gracia needs help with living expenses, and care expenses, and a Spanish-speaking attorney to do his will. Gracia Garcia would like a tablet. They also need an accessible van or a wheelchair lift for their existing van.

To find out more or donate an item, contact Hospice Austin, 512-342-4726, hospiceaustin.org.